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Coins, Currency, and Medals

The Museum possesses one of the largest numismatic collections in the world. The collections include over 1 million objects, comprising coins, medals, decorations, and pieces of paper money. Among the many great rarities here are some of the world’s oldest coins, created 2,700 years ago. But the collection also includes the latest innovations in electronic monetary exchange, as well as beads, wampum, and other commodities once used as money. A special strength lies in artifacts that illustrate the development of money and medals in the United States. The American section includes many rare and significant coins, such as two of three known examples of the world's most valuable coin, the 1933 double eagle $20 gold piece.

Plastic pin with metal back. This gold-colored pin shows both a shield in the colors of the U.S. flag and a chest full of gold coins. It reads, "I Helped War Chest." Attached is a plastic red, white, and blue ribbon.

Badge with metal pin bar in the shape of a cross with a shield at center. The embossed image of a Bible is set within the shield with the words, "Loyalty to Christ." The cross bears the initials BYPU, which stand for Baptist Young People's Union. The bar holds a plastic badge with a wreath design on its border and the phrase, "Welcome 1904 // Detroit the Beautiful." Badge features a color illustration of a pool and pathway. There is an island in the forefront and trees along the banks of the pathway. The BYPU held its annual convention in Detroit in 1904.

A convention badge produced by Whitehead & Hoag Co. The button, made of celluloid, has a photograph of a candidate, Scott Diebert, printed on the front with the words, "For Supreme Scott Diebert, Representative." Three ribbons (blue, yellow, and red), each with a jingle bell attached to the end, read "Western Pennyslvania Delegation." The maker's label is on the back of the button, on a paper insert.

Pinback button with illustration of a woman in a swimsuit sitting on a beachfront and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks logo, a red star between elk antlers. Purple plastic ribbon with white print hangs from the button.

The button is a guest badge from the New Jersey State Convention of June 21-22, 1923, in Asbury Park, N.J.

Knights of Pythias double-sided cloth badge. One side features blue, yellow, and red vertical stripes with silver letters and gold tassels and the words "Lakeside Lodge, No. 367 K. of P. Collinwood, Ohio." The celluloid and metal badge bar features various Masonic symbols. A celluloid medallion with cloth ribbon and metal frame is attached. The medallion has a coat of arms featuring the letters "FBC," which stand for "friendship, charity, and benevolence." Ribbon embroidered "Chas W. Hammond." Back side of badge is black with 'In Memoriam" in silver print featuring a coat of arms. A Whitehead & Hoag paper label is between the ribbons.

A first-prize ribbon produced by Whitehead & Hoag Co. for the Maine State Poultry Association. The button, made of celluloid, has a color image of the emblem for the State of Maine. The silk ribbon is blue, with silver-embossed inscription. A silk cord is attached to the back of the button.

A parade badge produced by Whitehead & Hoag Co. for a fraternal organization. The badge bar and medallion are made of celluloid inserts with metal frames. The upper flap has crossed flag staffs with American flags attached. The flags appear to wave, an effect patented by Whitehead & Hoag in 1892. The badge is reversible so it may be used for both parades and funerals.

The dates on the badge bar (1688-1690) refer to the period when James VII and II was fighting William III of Orange for the crown of England. The medallion has the names of various battles in the war, as well as the word "enniskillen," which is what Protestant Irish who fought with William called themselves. Boyne, the decisive battle in the war, was won by William III in 1690.

"L.O.L" likely stands for "Loyal Orange Lodge." The Orangemen were a Irish Protestant fraternal organization who celebrated the memory and ideals of William III of Orange. In the 1870s several disturbances, known as the "Orange Riots" broke out in New York City between Irish Protestant and Irish Catholic immigrants following celebratory parades of Orangemen held on the anniversary of the Battle of Boyne.

Source: "The Orange Riots of Fifty Years Ago," T. R. Ybarra, the New York Times. July 10, 1921.